CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte — A taxi driver from Butuan City voluntarily surrendered a loose firearm he discovered along a roadside in Cabadbaran City, highlighting what police described as an act of civic responsibility that helped prevent the possible misuse of the weapon.
The Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) reported that the firearm was turned over at around 5:00 p.m. on March 14, 2026 to personnel of the Provincial Highway Patrol Team (PHPT) Agusan del Norte stationed in Poblacion 5, Cabadbaran City.
According to police, the individual—identified only as a male taxi driver of legal age and a resident of Butuan City—personally appeared at the PHPT office to surrender the firearm and related items after discovering them earlier that day.
Authorities said the surrendered items included one Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver with a defaced serial number, two rounds of live .38 caliber ammunition, a black sling bag, and a black holster.
In his account to authorities, the taxi driver said he had just transported a passenger to Surigao del Norte and was returning home when he decided to stop briefly along the National Highway in Cabadbaran City. While along the roadside, he noticed a sling bag lying in a grassy area.
Curious about the unattended bag, he checked its contents and discovered the firearm and ammunition inside. Concerned about the potential danger if the weapon fell into the wrong hands, he decided to immediately report the matter to authorities and surrender the items to the Highway Patrol Group office.
Upon receiving the firearm, responding officers conducted an initial inspection and carefully documented the items for proper handling and investigation. The weapon is currently under the custody of PHPT Agusan del Norte and will undergo verification and further examination by the Regional Crime Scene Unit (RCSU) 13 to determine whether it may have been used in any criminal activity.
Police officials said the defaced serial number on the revolver could make tracing its origin more difficult, but forensic verification may still help determine its history.
PBGEN Jessie B. Tamayao, Acting Director of the PNP-HPG, commended the taxi driver for his honesty and cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
“The Highway Patrol Group encourages the public to immediately report or surrender any loose firearms discovered to the authorities to prevent their possible use in criminal activities,” Tamayao said.
He emphasized that cooperation from the public plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and order, especially in ensuring that unregistered or abandoned firearms do not end up being used in crimes.
The PNP-HPG reiterated its commitment to strengthening police-community partnership as part of its broader campaign against loose firearms and criminal activities along major road networks.
Authorities also reminded motorists and residents to immediately notify law enforcement if they encounter suspicious items or weapons in public areas.
The Highway Patrol Group reaffirmed its continuing mission to safeguard the country’s highways and maintain public safety as the “Guardians of the Highway.”